File card box



NOVQZO, 1962 SUYEOKA 3,065,308

FILE CARD BOX Filed Jan. 25, 1960 Inventor George M. Sugeoka United States Patent Ofifice fififidfifiii Patented Nov. 20, 1952 3,0613% FILE CARD EGX George M. Suyeoira, Chicago, 1511., assignor to Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, III., a corporation of iliinois Filed Ian. 25, 196%, ier. No. 4,326 3 Qiaims. (Cl. lid-43) This invention relates to a container for receiving and storing cards and, more particularly, to a file card box wherein the cover portion in upright position coacts with the tray portion to define an auxiliary temporary storage compartment.

In the use of containers for the file cards or the like, the user frequently must finger through a number of cards and select specific cards or groups of cards from the entire supply. When the selected cards are removed, they are easily misplaced or their order disrupted. In accordance with the present invention, this problem is overcome by presenting in a unitary, completely covered card container a swingable cover effective in down position to cover the container and in up position to define an auxiliary card storage compartment. In use, the cover of the container is swung from down to up position, the user fingers through the stored cards, the cards of interest are selected and placed in the temporary storage compartment, the cards are used as desired, all of the cards are then placed in proper position in the container, and the cover is restored to closing position to condition the unit for normal storage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved file box for systematically storing cards, and the like, which in the opened condition defines an auxiliary compartment for systematically and temporarily receiving the selected cards withdrawn from the file box;

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved file box of the above type in which the auxiliary compartment is so located and supported that the box is stably supported under all conditions;

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel file box with a swingable cover that passes in detent-like action to an open or upstanding position wherein it is positively stopped and forms a surface coplanar to and contiguous with the base;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved file box of the foregoing type embodying features of construction, combination and arrangement, whereby in the opened, auxiliary compartment defining condition it forms a highly stable unit that is readily handled on an ordinary desk without any tendency to tip or close.

The foregoing objects and other objects of the present invention will be readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing showing the embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a file card box constructed in accordance with the present invention in a fully opened position and having cards placed both in the primary and auxiliary compartments.

FIGURE 2 is a somewhat reduced side elevational view of FIGURE 1 with parts in cross-section to show better the stop surfaces that define the upstanding position of the cover.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view in vertical section of the box of FIGURE 1 in the closed or normal storage position.

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the axis-defining rivet and associated portions of the file box of FIGURE 1 with arrows indicating movement of the respective parts.

FIGURE 5 is a back view of the file box of FIGURE 3 with parts in cross-section to illustrate the hinge means employed therein.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the foregoing figures, the file card box has a substantially rectangular, normally horizontal tray portion 11 for receiving and substantially storing file cards 12. Tray portion II is formed by a bottom or floor 13 which is contiguous with opposite side wall panels 14 and 15 as well as a front wall panel 16 and a rear wall panel 17. Side wall panels 14 and 15 are also contiguous with front wall panel 16 at one end, and rear wall panel 17 at the opposite ends to form rectangular tray portion 11. Front and rear wall panels 16 and 17, respectively, have a somewhat greater height than cards 12, while side Wall panels 14 and 15 are somewhat lesser in height to provide easy access to cards 12. The width of the box is sli htly greater than the width of the cards. For 5 inch wide cards, for example, the box may be about 5 inches wide.

The novel card box is also composed of a substantially rectangular top cover member shown generally at 18. This cover has a roof portion 19 which is contiguous along its lateral edges with side or skirt portions 20 and 21. Roof portion 19 and side portions 20 and 21 are contiguous at the rear edges thereof with back wall 22 to form in effect a four sided rectangular box having roof, back, and side portions but no front or bottom portions.

Cover member 18 is pivotally mounted to tray portion 11 by means of rivets 23 and 24. As shown, the side portions of the cover nest over the side portions 14 and 15 of the tray portions. Side member 20 of cover member 18 is pivotally attached to side wall panel 14- of tray portion 11 by means of rivet 23 while side member 21 is pivotally attached to side wall panel 15 by means of rivet 24. As seen best in the detailed view of FIGURE 5, the rivets 23 and 24 are preferably of sleeve construction with inner and outer headed portions between which the sides of the tray portion and cover are sandwiched. The diameter of each rivet 23 and 24- in the portion it receives the sides of the tray and cover portions is relatively large (e.g., A inch) to form a relatively large peripheral surface engagement. This minimizes wear of the sides of the tray and cover portions and thereby extends the life of the box.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the rivets 23 and 24 are located in coaxial relation to define an axis crosswise of the box, substantially above the floor 13, and somewhat forwardly of the rear wall panel 17. In a box about 7 /2 inches long and with a cover having side walls about 3% inches high, the rivets 23 and 24 are preferably located about /2 inch above the bottom of floor 13 and about /8 inch forwardly of the front side of the rear wall panel 17 The cover 18, in FIGURE 3 is located on the rivets to define a space of about /a inch between the back side of rear wall panel 17 and the front face of the back wall 22. As described hereafter, this construction serves to define the auxiliary compartment which serves as a receptacle for selective cards 25.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the bot-tom of tray portion 11 is provided with a fiat panel 26 located within the confines of floor 13 defining an edge 27 inboard of and parallel to the rear edge 13 of floor 13. This panel provides a linear stop face 27, FIG- URES 3-5, for cover member 18. The panel 26 is adhesively or otherwise secured to the fioor 13 of tray portion II. It will be observed that with cover member 18 in an upright or open position, the back wall 22 is horizontally oriented in coplanar relation with fiat panel 26. The back wall 22 and the panel 26 thereby form a continuous smooth, flat base for the file box. This provides an unusually firm support for the box.

As specifically shown in FIGURE 3, roof portion 19 is supported by front and rear wall panels 16 and 17.

It is of a slightly greater length than floor 13. This provides a forwardly protruding horizontal finger receiving surface 19 by which cover member 18 may be opened. Back wall 22 terminates somewhat above the bottom face of panel 26 (e.g., about 4 inch) and is positioned a short distance outwardly from rear wall panel 17 to provide the incomplete clearance during the pivoting of cover member 18 as hereafter described and to provide engagement of the stop surfaces when the cover is slightly beyond the erect position.

As shown in FIGURE 4, an axis common to rivets 23 and 24 is disposed above and in forward relationship with respect to the linear stop face 27 defined by panel 26. A vertical center line CL which passes through the axis of rivets 23 and 24 indicates the forward disposition of the axis with respect to the linear stop face 27. This assures that the bottom edge 28 of back wall 22 seats against linear stop face 27 when cover 18 is swung slightly beyond vertical position. The axis of rotation through rivets 23 and 24 is so positioned in relation to the linear stop face 27 and the rear bottom face 28 of the cover as to bring the inside of back wall 22 into slightly interfering relation to the rear edge of floor 13. This interference provides a detent-like springing action as the back panel 22 passes over the rear edge 13 formed by floor 13 and panel 17. This detent-like action results from the fiexure of the lower part of the panel 22 as it is forced over the rear edge 13s of floor 13. The rear edge of floor 13 is rounded to provide a somewhat smooth interfering relationship.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the cover member 18 can be swung from the closed to the fully opened position While the file box is resting on a suitable support.

The file box is preferably made of a sturdy cardboard material having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to provide the springing and locking effect as above described. The file box can be constructed from a cardboard blank with the side and end portions folded and secured with an adhesive. The file box may then be covered on the outside with a pleasantly appearing material. Rivets 23 and 24 are the tubular type of copper or similar material commonly employed in fabricating light construction materials. It is obvious that other materials having similar physical properties can be employed and still fall Within the scope of the present invention.

Others may readily adapt the invention for use under various conditions of service, by employing one or more of the novel features disclosed or equivalents thereof. As at present advised with respect to the apparent scope of my invention, I desire to claim the following subject matter.

I claim:

1. A file card box adapted to receive file cards of predetermined width and height and to form a compartment for the temporary storage of selected file cards, the box comprising: a tray part composed of a rectangular floor, opposed side walls and opposed front and rear walls to form a tray to receive the cards for storage; means located within the confines of the floor of the tray part and secured to the underside thereof defining a fiat linear stop face parallel to the rear edge of the floor and forwardly of the same; a cover part having a roof of at least the extent of the floor and a pair of depending sides telescoping over and outboard of the side Walls of the tray part and of a height substantially equal to the height of the front wall of the tray part, the cover further having a back Wall secured to the side walls and the roof and terminating above the bottom edge of the side walls of the cover when the roof of the cover contacts one of the walls of the tray part to place the cover in a closed position with respect thereto; and means pivotally securing the cover to the tray for rotation about an axis disposed above and in forward relationship with respect to the linear stop face and the bottom edge of the back wall positioned from said axis at a distance slightly less than the distance of said axis to the bottom edge of the floor; whereby when the cover is moved toward an upright position, the bottom rear edge of the cover interferes slightly 'with the bottom rear edge of the base and springs under the same in a detent-like action to hold the cover in an upright position when the rear edge of the cover ultimately contacts the linear stop face, the cover in the fully upright position defining an open topped and closed bottomed card receiving space behind the tray for temporary storage of cards.

2. A file card box adapted to receive file cards of predetermined width and height and to form a compartment for the temporary storage of selected file cards, the box comprising: a tray part composed of a rectangular floor, opposed side walls of a given height and opposed front and rear walls of a height greater than that of the opposed side walls to form a tray to receive the cards for storage; a flat panel located within the confines of thefloor of the tray part to define a margin inboard of the floor and secured to the underside thereof to support the same, said panel at the rear margin defining an edge inboard and parallel to the rear edge of the floor to form a linear stop face; a cover part having a roof of at least the extent of the floor and a pair of depending sides telescoping over and outboard of the side walls of the tray part and of a height substantially equal to the height of the front wall of the tray part, the cover further having a back wall secured to the side walls and the roof and terminating above the bottom edge of the side walls of the cover when the roof of the cover contacts one of the walls of the tray part to place the cover in a closed position; and means pivotally securing the cover to the tray for rotation about an axis disposed above and in forward relationship with respect to the linear stop face and the bottom edge of the back wall positioned from said axis at a distance slightly less than the distance from said axis to the bottom rear edge of the floor, whereby when the cover is moved toward an upright position, the bottom rear edge of the cover interferes slightly with the bottom rear edge of the base and springs under the same in a detent-like action to hold the cover in an upright position when the rear edge of the cover ultimately contacts the linear stop face, the cover in the fully upright position defining an open topped and closed bottomed card receiving space behind the tray for temporary storage of cards.

3. A file card box adapted to receive file cards of predetermined width and height and to form a compartment for the temporary storage of selected file cards, the box comprising: a tray part composed of a rectangular floor, opposed side walls of a given height and opposed front and rear walls of a height greater than that of the op posed side walls to form a tray to receive the cards for storage; a flat panel located within the confines of the floor and secured to the underside thereof to support the same, said panel at the rear margin defining an edge inboard and parallel to the rear edge of the floor to form a linear stop face; a cover part slightly longer than the floor and a pair of depending sides telescoping over and outboard of the side walls of the tray part and of a height substantially equal to the height of the front wall of the tray part, the cover further having a back wall secured to the side walls and the roof and terminating above the bottom edge of the side walls of the cover when the roof of the cover contacts one of the walls of the tray part to place the cover in a closed position; and means pivotally securing the cover to the tray for rotation about an axis disposed above and in forward relationship with respect to the linear stop face and the bottom edge of the back wall positioned from said axis at a distance slightly less than the distance from said axis to the bottom rear edge of the floor, whereby when the cover is moved toward an upright position, the bottom rear edge of the cover interferes slightly with the bottom rear edge of the base and springs under the same in a detent-like References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Weiss Fume 24, 1913 Hotson Dec. 13, 1938 

